CHAP. I.
K. Henry the 3d. his succession to K. John; his Coronation, necessi∣tated Oath, Homage, Subjection to, Transactions, Complyance with the Pope and See of Rome, against his own and the Nobles wills; his and their Complaints, Oppositions, Prohibitions against the Popes, Bishops, Clergies Encroachments, Exactions both in England and Ireland; with the chief passages concerning the Ecclesiastical affairs in them, during the first 20. years of his young & troublesome reign.
KIng John being * 1.1 taken out of this world by poyson, through the* 1.2 implacable malice of the Monks and Prelates, having then many Enemies both of Earls, Barons, and more especially of the Popish Clergy, Henry his eldest son was then but of the Age of 9. Years: at which time most of the Lords of England adhering to Lewes the French Kings son, (whom they had sent for before in displeasure of King John to be their King, and had sworn to him their Allegiance.) There∣upon William Earl Marshall, a Noble man of great Authority, and a grave, sound Counsellor, friendly and quietly called unto him divers Earls and Barons, and taking this Henry the young Prince, son of King John, set him be∣fore them all, using these words, Behold Right Honourable and Well-beloved: Although we have persecuted the Father of this young Prince for his evil demeanour, and worthily, yet this young Childe, whom here you see before you, as he is in years tender, so is he pure and innocent from these his Fathers doings: Wherefore in as much as every man is charged only with the burthen of his own works and transgressions, * 1.3 Neither shall the Childe (as the Scripture teacheth us) bear the iniquity of his Father: We ought there∣fore of duty and conscience to pardon this young Prince, and take compassion of his Age as ye see. And now forasmuch as he is the Kings natural and eldest son, and must be our Soveraign and King, and Successor of this Kingdom, come let us appoint him our King and Governour, and let us remove from us this Lewes the French Kings son, and suppresse his people, which is a confusion and shame to our Nation, and the yok•• of our servitude let us cast off from our shoulders. To these words spake and answered the Earl of Gloucester: And by what reason and right (said he) can we so do, seeing we have called him hither and sworn to him our Fealty? Whereunto the Earl Marshall inferred again, and said: Good right and reason we have, and ought of duty to do no lesse, for that contrary to our